Arc-light hanger.



No.. 663,420. Patented Dec. Il, |900. G. CUTTER.

ARC LIGHT HANGER.

(Application filed liar, 10, 1900. 1

(No Model.)

@will UNITED STATES PATENT Errori..

GEORGE CUTTER, OF CHICAGO, lLLlNOlS, ASSTGNOR TO THE GEORGE CUTTERCOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ARC-LlG HT HANGER.

SPEGKFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 663,420, dated Decemberl1, 1900.

Application filed March 10,1900. Serial No. 8,188. lNo model.)

To all who/1t 'it' 717,01/ concern:

Be it known that 1, GEORGE CUTTER, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State ofillinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Arc-LightHangers, of which the following is a speeilication.

My invention relates in general to hangers by which arc-lamps can besuspended or sustained in elevated positions and from which they can bedetached and lowered for trimming or other purposes while the hangersthemselves remain in their elevated positions, and it relates inparticular to a class of such hangers in which the lamp is automaticallyincluded in the circuit when in its elevated position and automaticallycut out and the circuit closed across its terminals when lowered.

The principal objects of my invention are to secure certain new anddesirable results in arc-light hangers of this kind and to provide asimple, practical, and inexpensive construev tion of hanger capable ofsecuring such new results.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of anarc-lam p suspended by a hanger embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3are views of a longitudinal half of the hanger with the lamp indifferent positions relatively thereto. Fig. e is a side elevation ofthe hanger. Fig. 5 is a view of a portion of the hanger, and Fig. 6 aView of a modied form of the hanger.

The hanger which I have shown in the drawings to illustrate my inventionconsists, essentially, of two membersan upper member A and a lowermember B, which I shall term the lamp-bracket. The upper inember A isalways maintained in an elevated position-as, for example, by a largeguywire 1, passing` through a long aperture formed in a piece 2, securedto the top of such member.

The lamp-bracket B serves as a holder i'or the lamp C, and the latter isfor all practical purposes attached permanently to it, as by rings 3 and4, respectively, on the bracket and on the lamp. By such arrangement anystyle of lamp can be supported by the hanger by merely connectingl it tothe bracket B, no

special form or construction of lamp being required to cooperate withthe hanger.

The upper member A and the lamp-bracket B can be detachably engaged withone another and can be disengaged and separated, in which way the lamp Ccan be held and supported in an elevated position by engaging` the twoand can be lowered by detaching the bracket B and allowing it todescend. For the proper lowering and hoisting of the lamp the bracket l5is provided with a couple of ropes 5 5, which are secured to a cross-arm(i on the bracket and extend upwardly and over pulleys 7 7 on the memberA. They are conveniently connected by a yoke 3, and to the latter isattached another rope 9, which is led to any desirable locality where itcan be operated to raise or lower the lamp. The line-wires 10 10 areattached to a cross-bar 11, conveniently secured in position above thepiece 2 on the upper member A, and are led thence downwardly to thelower end of such member and into the interior `from below. They aretermina-ted at binding-posts 12 12, Figs. 2 and 3, on insulating-blocks13 13, respectively secured to the opposite side walls ofthe member A,it being understood that Figs. 2 and 3 each show but one of two likehalves of the member A. In the normal condition of the hanger when it isnot supporting the lamp the terminals of the line-wires 10 10 areshort-circuited, so as to maintain the line continuous anduninterrupted. The arrangement l have shown for this purposeconveniently consists of a couple of switchlevers le 14, pivoted to theblocks 13 13 and connected to the binding-posts 12 12 by metallic strips15 15. These levers 111 14- are arranged to make contact withcontact-jaws 1G 16, likewise secured to the insulatingblocks 13 13, andare held normally in contact with the jaws 16 16 by springs 17 17, Fig.2. The jaws 16 16 are connected with one another, as by conductors 181S, which are understood to extend between the opposite sides of the member A. Bysucharrangement it will be seen that the circuit is normallyclosed through the hanger from one line-wire 10 to and through thecorresponding strip 15, switch-lever 1e, and contact-jaw 16, thenceacross, by the conductors 18 18, to

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the other contact-jaw 19, and thence through its lever 14- and strip 15to the other linewire 10.

When the lamp is supported in elevated position by the hanger, the shortcircuit between the terminals of the line-wires is broken, and the lampis connected with these wires. In accordance with lny invention theweight of thelampitsel'f operates to break the short circuit, a sim pleand highly-effective arrangement being to provide the switch-levers14111 with extensions or arms 19 19 and to construct the upper end et"the lamp-bracket B with lateral projections 2O 20, capable of engaging`the extensions er arms 19 19 on the levers 14 14E. In this way when thebracket B is placed in position with its lateral projections 2O 2O abovethe extensions or arms 19 19 and then allowed to descend the extensionsor arms 19 19 will swing downwardly and the levers 1e 1a upviardly andaway from the jaws 10 16, Fig. 3,

l desirably provide stops 21 21 on the side walls of the member A forlimiting the downward movement of the extensions 19 19 when the same areacting to support the lamp.

As a matter of further improvement the extensions 19 19 on the switches11 14 also serve as connections between the line-wires and the lamp,they being to such end made of copper or the like and the lower sides otthe projections 2O 2O on the bracket B being provided with metalliccontacts 23 23, Fig. 5, adapted to make contact with the extensions orarms 19 19. The contacts 23 23 are suitably insulated from the bracketB, as by be- `ing mounted upon wooden blocks 24 24e, Figs. 3 and 5.rEhey are connected with lamp-wires 25 25, which are convenientlyextended along the sides of the bracket Band attached to insulators onthe ends of thearms G and then connected with the lamp. 1n this way assoon as the contacts 23 23 rest upon the arms or extensions 19 19 of theswitch-levers 14.- 11 the switches 14 14 are swung upwardly, so as tobreak the short circuit, and at the same time the current is conveyed tothe lamp by means of the arms 19 19, contacts 23 23, and lamp-wires 2525. As long as the lamp is supported by the supporting-arms 19 19, so asto retain the lamp in the elevated position, the short circuit remainsbroken, and the line-wires are connected with the lamp; but when thelamp is elevated and lifted from the supporting-arms 19 19 preliminaryto lowering the hanger and lamp the terminals of the line-wires areshort-circuited and the lamp is positively disconnected therefrom. 1twill be seen that this arrangement is simple, practical, and thoroughlyeliective and that it secures positiveness and absolute reliableness ofaction. y

The supporting-arms 19 19, which thus desirably have the dual functionof supporting the lamp and serving as connections thereto, are desirablycombined with suitable means forguiding the projections 2O 2O of thebracket B te them and also for allowing the withdrawal of the bracket l5suitably t'rom the member A. Any desired means can be employed for thispurpose. As a preferred method, however, 1 provide the member A. withguideways similar in general arrange ment lo those of the supporting andlocking device for electric lights illustrated and described and claimedin Patent No. 455,5 t7, of July 7, 1891, owned by me.

The guideways referred to are the guide ways 2G 2U and 27 27, bothunderstood to be on both sides or walls of the member A. The guideways26 26 are constructed with downwardly and upwardly opening mouths andextend thence inwardly and outwardly. The guideways 27 27 extendupwardly and inwardly from substantially the inner end of the guideways2G 2G. rlhe arms 19 are arranged below the junction ot' these two setsol' guideways. 1n operation when the lamp is elevated by thehoisting-rope 5 5 the projections 2O 2O at the upperends ot' the bracketB enter the mouths of the guideways 26 2G and pass upwardly andinwardly, and then the guide-ropes being slackened they descend and restupon the arms 19 19. When the lamp is to be lowered, the ropes 5 5 arefirst drawn to elevate it, whereupon the projection's on the bracketpass upwardly and out through the guideways 27 27and then downwardlythrough guideways 29 29 and out of the member A.. The guideways 26 2o',27 27, and 29 29 are conveniently provided by projections or lugs 30 30,31 31, and 32 32, cast upon the longitudinal halves of the member A. Itwill be seen that this engagement of the bracket B with the member A andits disengagement therefrom can be easily and readily performed and isentirely automatic in operation.

rihe pulleys 7 7 for the hoisting-ropes are desirably arranged outsideof the member A and conveniently provided with housings 39 ln this wayall of the electrical mechanisms ot the hanger can be arranged inside ofsuch member, and the size el' the same can therefore be greatly reduced.

In Fig. 6 1 have shown a modiied form of my invention particularlyadapted for use in connection with arc-lam ps ugon incandescent orconstant-potential circuits. ln this form the supportiufr-arms 19 19 aremerely connected with the contacts 12 12 and the jaws 1G 16 aredtspensed with. By this arr-angoment it is obvious that when the bracketis suspended by the supporting-arms the current will iiow to the lamp C,as before; but when it is removed from such arms the lamp will bedisconnected and the circuit will be open at that lamp, it beinglunnecessary to close it.

What l claim as my invention is- 1. The combination in a lamp-hai'xger,ot' a pair oi pivoted swinging levers provided with arms or extensionsadapted to serve as switches the said levers and arms thereof be- IOOIIO

ing arranged on opposite sides of the pivotal points, contacts withwhich said levers can make connection, springs normally holding saidlevers in position to connect with said contacts, a bracket or holderfor the lamp having laterally-projecting conducting members adapted toengage and rest upon said arms or extensions, and to operate the same soas to swing the levers away from said contacts.

2. In a lamp-hanger, the combination of a pair of pivotally-supportedswinging levers provided with extensions or arms arranged on sides ofthe pivotal support opposite the levers, contacts with which the `leverscan make connection, springs tending to hold the levers normally againstsaid contacts, and a lamp bracket or holder provided with lateralprojections adapted to engage and rest upon said arms or extensions, andto swing the same when so engaged, so as to cause the levers to separatefrom said contacts.

3. In a lamp-hanger, the combination of a pair of switching devices,each consisting of a pivotally-supported swinging lever provided with asubstantially horizontally extending armor extension arranged on thesides of the pivotal support opposite the lever, contacts with whichsaid levers can make connection, springs normally holding said leversagainst said contacts, a lamp hanger or bracket adapted to support thelamp and provided at its upper end with lateral projections andconductors extended on the lamp bracket or hanger from the lamp upwardlyto the lateral projections and beneath the same, and having theinsulation removed from their lower surface below said projections,whereby said conductors can engage and rest upon the arms or extensionsof said switching devices and can operate the devices when suspendedtherefrom, substantially as described.

Li. In a lamp-hanger, the combination with a bracket or holder for thelamp, of a circuitcontrolling device adapted for operation by the weightof the lamp, and guideways leading to the circuit-controlling deviceforguiding the bracket or holder to such device.

5. In a lamp-hanger, a member having switching devices and also having`pulleys, the switching devices being arranged inside of a casing and thepulleys being arranged on the outside of the opposite sides of the same,whereby moisture is prevented from gaining access to the interior of thedevice.

U. In a lamp-hanger, a lamp-bracket consisting of a stem having itsupper end provided with lateral projections and its lower endconstructed in the form ot'across-arm in combination with a memberadapted to coperate with the lateral projections on the upper end ofsaid hanger, substantially as described.

7. In a lamp-hanger, a lamp-bracket consisting of a stein having itsupper end provided with lateral projections and its lower 0ndconstructed in the form of a cross-arm, in combination with ropesattached to the opposite sides of said cross-arm and a member adapted tocoperate with the lateral projections on the upper end oi said bracket,substantially' as described.

S. The combination with a member carrying lamp-supporting devices, of anupper supporting-piece having a swivel connection with said member andprovided with a rigidly-seen red, transverse]y-extending insulating-arm.

Sl. In a lamp-hanger, the combination with a member carryinglamp-supporting devices, of pulleys on the side of said member, alampbracket adapted to engage said supporting` devices and constructedwith a transverse arm, and ropes extending over said pulleys anddownwardly from the same and attached to said cross-arm. Y

lO. In a lamp-hanger, the combination of a member carryinglamp-supporting devices, pulleys on the opposite sides of said member, alamp-bracket adapted to engage said supporting devices and constructedwith a transverse arm, ropes extended about said pulleys and downwardlyfrom the same, and attached to the cross-arm, a supporting-piece forsupporting said member and having a swivel connection therewith, a cross-arm rigidly secured to said supporting-piece, and conductors extendingfrom the cross-arm on said supportingpiece downwardly to said member.

ll. The combination with a member provided with lamp-supporting devices,and also provided with guideways, a supporting-piece with which saidmember has a swivel connection, and a lamp-bracket adapted to engagesaid lamp-supporting devices and to travel in said guideways.

l2. The combination with a member adapted to support the lamp, of alamp-bracket adapted to engage said member at its upper end, and ropesattached to said lamp-bracket below its upper end, whereby the bracketcan move or swing laterally relatively to the ropes.

I3. In a lamp-hanger, a supporting member consisting of a casingcontaining lampsupporting devices, and pulleys arranged on the outsideof the opposite sides of the casing, whereby the connections to the lampcan be made within the casing from which the moisture will he excluded,and the ropes for elevating the lamp can be supported outside of thecasing.

I4. A lamp-hanger comprising a supporting member, consisting of a casingcontaining lamp-supporting devices and provided on its outside withpulleys, a lamp-bracket adapted to support the lamp and constructed soas to engage the lamp-supporting devices in said casing, ropes arrangedover said pulleys and attached to said lamp-bracket, whereby the bracketcan be elevated or lowered by the IOO IIO

ropes which are outside of the casing` and ztt the saine time theconnection of the lmnp can occur within the casing.

l5. A lztinpdianger comprising` n supporting-piece adapted to engage asupportingwire und provided with a rigidly-secured cross-arm, nsupporting niember consisting` of at casing containing' lamp-supportingydevices, the sstid casing` being provided on its interior withguidewftys leading to and from said supporting devices, and beingprovided on its exterior with pulleys, a lamp-bracket consisting' of astem having' its upper end provided with projections adapted to move insaid guideways and to engage the lamp-supporting,` devices, said brackethaving its lower end constructed in the forni of a cross-arm, conductorsnrran ged upon said lmnp-bracket and extending;` up the stein of thesaine and outward on the under side of said projections, line conductorsextended from the cross-Erni of the supporting-piece downwardly to thebottoni of the casing and upwardly into the sinne, and connected withthe lump-supporting devices therein, it couple of guide-ropes passingover said pulleys and having their lower ends attached to thecross-Erin, forniing the lower end of the lmnp-bracket, aconnecting-piece connecting the opposite ends of sztid ropes, andzithird rope attached to said connecting-piece.

1G. In a lamp-hanger, n lmnp-bracket consisting of n stein having` itsupper end provided With projections, and having` its lower endconstructed in the'forni of at cross-arm in colnbinzttion withconductors arranged upon seid cross-arm and upwardly along The sides ofsaid stein, and thence outwardly on the under sides of seid projections,the portions oli' s-(tid conductors below said projeclions being'insulated therefrom and free from insul-(ttion on their lower sides.

Signed by nie tt Chicago, Illinois, this 3d day of March, 1900.

GEORGE CUTTER. Witnesses:

A. MILLER BELEIELD, CHARLES E. HUBERT.

